Neither. A VPN is a tool. It’s useful for bypassing geo-restrictions, allows you to act as a local device in the server’s local network which is really useful, and can have a benefit to privacy when paired with other tools.
A lot of VPN ads however are overblown with the “VPNs keep you safe online” and “Don’t use the internet without a VPN”, these are dishonest marketing practices which should be seen as a massive red flag.
Tom Scott did it already.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVDQEoe6ZWY